Why would the MOCA ever be different from the GPS MEA?
If GPS MEAs ensure obstacle clearance and coms reception, what' the difference between a GPS MEA and a regular MEA? Some of the GPS MEAs are the same altitude as MOCAs.
Nope. MEA provides the following:Neither MEAs nor MOCAs guarantee communication. They are to stop loud noises from happening.
Not if you have an Elon rocket and enter DIrect->To.MOCAs still provide VOR reception with in 22 NM of the station.
You're always 12,000 miles from the GPS station.
Nope. MEA provides the following:
1. Obstruction clearance.
2. Minimum ROC from one altitude to the other.
3. Com and navigation facility requirements. Note that there are allowable gaps in both.
4. Multiples of 100'.
Where is it published that the MEA ‘guarantees’ comms?
Always willing to learn...
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TERPs 8260.3E:
"14-1-9. Minimum En Route IFR Altitudes. An MEA will be established for each segment of an airway/route from radio fix to radio fix. The MEA will be established based upon obstacle clearance, adequacy of navigation facility performance, and communications requirements. Segments are designated West to East and South to North. Altitudes must be established in 100-foot increments (for example, 2001 feet becomes 2100)."
"Communications requirements" means what a particular ARTCC requires. It they are willing to accept a VHF/UHF communications gap at MEA, then flight inspection won't increase the MEA above what is required for obstacle clearance. But, if the ARTCC finds a communications gap unacceptable for a given airway segment, then flight inspection will determine the minimum altitude for continuous VHF/UHF communications and increase the MEA accordingly.
TERPs 8260.3E:
"14-1-9. Minimum En Route IFR Altitudes. An MEA will be established for each segment of an airway/route from radio fix to radio fix. The MEA will be established based upon obstacle clearance, adequacy of navigation facility performance, and communications requirements. Segments are designated West to East and South to North. Altitudes must be established in 100-foot increments (for example, 2001 feet becomes 2100)."
"Communications requirements" means what a particular ARTCC requires. It they are willing to accept a VHF/UHF communications gap at MEA, then flight inspection won't increase the MEA above what is required for obstacle clearance. But, if the ARTCC finds a communications gap unacceptable for a given airway segment, then flight inspection will determine the minimum altitude for continuous VHF/UHF communications and increase the MEA accordingly.
So, (to flog an unresponsive equine...) the pilot won’t know if there’s an acceptable comm gap on an airway. Therefore comms are not ‘guaranteed’. They’re probably most likely, but still...
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